Ric Hassani says gospel-to-secular switch is often about purpose, not just money.
Singer explains true fulfillment comes from creative expression, not financial gain alone.
Nigerian singer Ric Hassani has explained that many gospel artists shift to secular music not for financial reasons, but in search of deeper personal fulfillment.
Speaking in a recent interview with Hip TV, the “Thunder Fire You” crooner revealed that although he started his music journey in the church, he later discovered that gospel music was not his divine calling. He emphasized that effective gospel ministration requires a unique spiritual gift, which not every talented vocalist possesses.
“Gospel is beyond singing. You must be divinely gifted to interpret God’s message through music. For instance, Katy Perry can’t minister the way CeCe Winans does. CeCe is anointed for it. Whitney Houston had a different kind of blessing,” Hassani noted.
He continued, “I don’t believe everyone is meant to serve in the church through music. Some of us are designed to impact the world in other ways. I include gospel tracks in every album because I’m a strong Christian. But my calling lies elsewhere. I wouldn’t thrive in gospel music like Frank Edwards or Mercy Chinwo. That’s not my lane.”
Addressing the common belief that musicians abandon gospel for secular music to chase money, Ric countered that creative expression often outweighs monetary concerns. According to him, true fulfillment for artists comes from the ability to create and share music that resonates with their purpose.
“People think gospel artists switch for money, but it’s really about creative satisfaction. Everyone likes money, but it’s not the main driver. Even top stars like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido who have all the money still make music. If it were only about wealth, Davido wouldn’t need to do music at all,” he explained.
Hassani concluded by saying the joy of transforming an idea into a complete record offers a deeper sense of reward than any financial incentive could ever provide.
